Humphrey Street was closed to traffic Saturday afternoon as residents turned out for the third annual Summer Fest Block Party, which stretched from Redington Street to Greenwood Avenue.
The event featured live music, food, drinks, local vendors and a Kids Zone, transforming the road from Mission on the Bay to Beatrice Insurance into a pedestrian walkway lined with tents and activities.
More than 60 businesses, artisans and community organizations participated, including Coastal Mass Brewing, Granite Coast Brewing, Andreas Taqueria, Village Tavern, Dockside Pub, Isabella’s Ice Cream, Boho Roots, Copper Dog Books, Bosa Colombian Goods, Volo Craft Pizza, Signs by Mico, SPUR, and the Swampscott Senior Center, to name a few. Vendors offered items ranging from jewelry and home décor to baked goods and photography services.
The festival’s entertainment lineup included musician John Polino from noon to 2 p.m. and Turtle on a String from 2 to 4 p.m.
Swampscott Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia, who took over the role on Aug. 7, said one highlight was the Kids Zone, a new addition for this year’s celebration.
“We did the Kids Zone for a couple reasons, just so that kids would have a place to go with local organizations,” she said. “The Elementary PTO is in there. Mr. Calichman, who was our new superintendent, is here on behalf of the schools. We have Premier Martial Arts. We have a free painting area with Create & Escape, and we also have lawn games. Honestly, it was just an area to keep everyone sort of contained and happy.”
Daher de Garcia said the number of vendors exceeded expectations.
“We have about 65 vendors. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been adding as many as we can get,” she said. “So it’s everything from nonprofits to all the local businesses.”
She emphasized the event’s role in fostering community connections.
“I think that this block party is just all about community, and getting everyone together, whether you’re just a citizen that wants to get out and meet local businesses, meet the nonprofits, meet people in the local schools,” she said. “I think it’s just great to get everybody together. And just to have fun, and we got really lucky with the weather.”
